Number of States with 10 or More Electoral Votes in 2008 Electoral votes Frequency 10 4 11 4 12 1 13 1 15 3 17 1 20 1 21 2 27 1 31 1 34 1 55 1 In 2008, there were 21 states with 10 or more electoral votes, as shown in the table above. Based on the table, what was the median number of electoral votes for the 21 states?

SAT Mathematics Practice Test 6

Question : 42 of 58

Marks: +1, -0

Number of States with 10 or More Electoral Votes in 2008

Electoral votes	Frequency
10	4
11	4
12	1
13	1
15	3
17	1
20	1
21	2
27	1
31	1
34	1
55	1

In 2008, there were 21 states with 10 or more electoral votes, as shown in the table above. Based on the table, what was the median number of electoral votes for the 21 states?

Validate

Solution:

The median of a list of numbers is the middle value when the numbers are listed in order from least to greatest. For the electoral votes shown in the table, their frequency should also be taken into account. Since there are 21 states represented in the table, the middle number will be the eleventh number in the ordered list. Counting the frequencies from the top of the table

(4+4+1+1+3=13)

shows that the median number of electoral votes for the 21 states is 15.
Choice A is incorrect. If the electoral votes are ordered from least to greatest taking into account the frequency, 13 will be in the tenth position, not the middle. Choice C is incorrect because 17 is in the fourteenth position, not in the middle, of the ordered list. D is incorrect because 20 is in the fifteenth position, not in the middle, of the ordered list.

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